Cold wave hits southern Brazil, prompting alerts in Paraná and Joinville

A polar air mass swept across Brazil's southern region, bringing unusually low temperatures. In Coronel Domingos Soares, Paraná, thermometers fell to about -5 °C, and two cousins attracted online attention by walking shirtless on frosted ground. The cold spell has produced widespread frost in municipalities historically known for low winter temperatures.

In Joinville, Santa Catarina, municipal civil defence issued a cold‑weather alert as nightly lows are expected to reach 7 °C. The city’s “Operation Baixas Temperaturas” provides night shelter for people in extreme vulnerability, with 35 emergency beds available at a local centre and additional capacity through the SEAS service. Authorities warned residents, especially children, the elderly and pets, to take precautions against the chilly conditions.